Poodle owner hit by car while trying to save pet

Pasta the poodle who died Sunday after being struck by a hit-and-run driver,… (Carla Rescia, courtesy )

May 20, 2013

FORT LAUDERDALE — — A woman trying to save her poodle from being struck by traffic Sunday was hit by a car that did not remain at the crash, Fort Lauderdale police said.

Carla Rescia was driving south on Northeast 18th Avenue when she pulled into her residence on the 5300 block and her poodle ran from her car into traffic, Fort Lauderdale Police spokeswoman DeAnna Greenlaw said Monday.

"He was my baby," Rescia said through sobs Monday as she described the 12-pound black poodle she called "Pasta" and loved for nearly 14 years. "That car was going way too fast. My dog was not even two feet in the road."

Police are looking for the driver of a newer-model black four-door Mercury Montego. Rescia said she landed on a car's hood and that the car then hit Pasta, who died at the scene.

Rescia said she has road rash on the right side of her body and was treated at Holy Cross Hospital.